Corn-harvester.



No. 639,949. y Patented Dec. 3f, |90I.

l. H. BLANCHARD.

OUEN HARVESTER.

(Application tiled Juna 18, 1901.)

WITNESSES:

@i4-@ l @gm www y v; Arromveys No. 689,949. Patented nec. 3|, 190|. l. M. BLANCHARD.

GURN HARVESTER.

(Application Bled June 18, 1901.)

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Unirrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC M. BLANCHARD, OF NEV ALBANY, OHIO.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,949, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed June 18,1901. Serial No. 65,026. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it' nt/,ty concern,.-

Be it known that I, IsAAo M. BLANCHARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Albany, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Harvesters and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, economical, and effective machine for cutting or harvesting corn.

The invention and the features of novelty are set forth and pointed out in the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is avertical longitudinal sectional view, taken on line x @c of Fig. 2, looking toward the inner left-hand side of the machine. Fig. 2 is a View in elevation of the rear end of the machine, one of the cutters being folded against the side of the machine and the left-hand side being partially in section. Fig. 3 is a plan view looking down, one of the guards being broken off; and Fig. 4 is a detail in section illustrating the platform-elevating devices.

Like characters of reference in the several Views designate corresponding parts.

The character 1 designates the carryingwheels. There need be, and preferably are, but two of these wheels. 2 designates the axle between these wheels, upon which all the parts are shown to be carried and supported.

3 is the platform, rising vertically from each side of which are large clevises 4, shaped to form vertical slots or guides through or in which the axle 2 extends. One arm 4" of each clevis is located forward of the vertical plane of the axle, while another, 4b, is located in rear of the vertical plane thereof. A lever 5 is fulcrumed at one end to the forward arm 4 of each clevis, while the other end extends to the rear of the machine, so as to he within easy reach of the operator. The rear arm or branch 4b of the clevis is made with a number of holes 4C, into which a pin G can be passed to secure the lever with respect to the clevis. A hanger 7, secured to the lever and to the axle, suspends the platform from the axle. By raising or lowering the rear ends of the levers 5 the platform is raised or lowered, and by placing the pin 6 in the proper hole 4 the platform can be fixed in the position to which it is raised or lowered, the slot in the clevises 4 permitting such raising or lowering. 1t will be observed, therefore, that the platform is virtually pivotally suspended on the hangers 7 and is therefore capable of being tilted or inclined. Whether the platform shall be fixed to stand in a horizontal position will depend upon the nature of the work to be done and the circumstances under which it is to be done. rPhe platform can be fixed in a horizontal or inclined position by means of a bar S, attached to the front end of the platform and reaching upward to the cross-bar on the shaft or pole of the machine. This bar Sis made with a series of holes 8, through which and a hole in the cross-bar of the shaft or pole a pin 9 can be passed to secure the bar 8 from movement, and therefore determine the degree of inclination of the platform. It will thus be noted that the platform is capable of two adjust-y ments, one as to the vertical distance from the ground and the other as to itsinclination with respect to the ground.

Hinged to the platform at each side of the machine and beyond the wheels is a wing 10, bearing at its forward edge a cutter or knife l1, the edge of which is shown when down in t-he cutting position to be inclined outwardly and rearwardly, so that when the machine is drawn forward through the corn it cuts with a shear cut, and therefore with a more certain and effective action.

The machine shown is adapted to cut two rows of corn at one time. In practice two men will stand back to back upon the platform and gather the stalks as fast as they are cut and before they can fall to the ground. The men each brace themselves by placing one foot against a stirrup or projection 12 on the front of the platform and the other against the block or projection 13 on the rear of the platform. Guards 14 and 15 on the yoke 14' will prevent the men from coming into contact with the wheels. Vertically-arranged guards 16, secured to the platform and yokes 111a beyond the wheels, will serve to prevent the stalks from becoming entangled with the wheels. When the soil is moist or there is a tendency of it to accumulate on the carryinga wheels, scrapers 18 can be moved into position to clear the wheels. These Scrapers are shown to be on the rear ends of rods 18a, and the forward ends of these rods are attached to cranks at the ends of a transversely-arranged rod 20 under the platform. This rod can be rocked or given a half-revolution by means of a weighted block 17, xed to said v rod, (see Figs. l and 3,) whereby the Scrapers can be moved toward or from the position to remove the accumulation from the wheels. When the machine is not in operation, the knives or cutter-bearing wings can be turned up' at the sides of the wheels and held in this position by a hook 19.

It will be observed that my machine is quite compact in its construction, is capable of nice adjustments, and can be freelyturned about short corners.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a corn-harvester, the combination with carrying-wheels and an axle, a hanger on said axle, a platform carrying cutters, a lever connected with the platform and the hanger for adjusting the platform vertically,

a guide rising vertically from the platform and engaging the axle, and means whereby the lever can be fixed in diiferent positions, substantially as described.

2. In a corn-harvester, the combination with carrying-wheels an axle, a platform carrying cutters, a hanger on said axle, a le ver connected with the platform and the hanger for adjusting the platform vertically,- means for preventing the horizontal movement of the platform with respect to the axle, and means for securing the lever in its diiferent positions, substantially as described.

3. In acorn-harvester, carrying-wheels and an axle, a platform carrying cutters, a hanger on said axle, a lever connected with said hanger and platform for vertically adjusting the platform, combined with means whereby the platform can be tilted, and fixed in tilted position, substantially as described.

4. In a corn harvester, the combination Vwith the carrying-wheels and an axle, of a platform, slotted clevises 4 rising from said platform and engaging the axle, levers 5 pivoted to said clevises, hangers 7 suspending the platform through said lever, and meansfor' securing said levers when adjusted, substantially as described.

5. In a corn harvester, the combination with the carrying-.wheels and axle, of aplat.- form, slotted clevises 4 rising from said platform and engaging the axle, levers 5 pivoted to said clevises, hangers 7 suspending the platform through said levers, means for securing said levers when adjusted, and a bar 8 for tilting said platform and means for securing the'same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presenceof' two witnesses.

ISAAC M; BLANCHARD.- 

